Is moderate worth the price difference over value?

[meamommy]

We are planning our first trip next fall! Although I am still debating over off or on site, I *think* we have decided on site. I know we could definitely do value, but can probably swing the price of moderate as well...I WISH we could afford deluxe but I don't figure that will happen. Is the price difference to go up to moderate worth it? We are a family of 5, but our youngest will still be only two at the time. Then my parents will be going as well. There are so many options, I had looked at two regular value rooms, I don't really like the suite idea with adults having to sleep on sofa sleepers, etc. I like the carribean beach, and have heard good things from some friends about port orleans. Any suggestions?

 

[dansdad]

Worth is such a personal thing so only you can decide. Here are some of the things you will get with a moderare over a value so you can decide.

Covered bus stops
Multiple bus stops so you're never far from one
Hot tubs
Sit down restaraunt
Pool slides
Bike, surrey bike and boat rentals
Bigger rooms (CBR being the biggest)
Double sinks


That's what I can think of off the top of my head. We have stayed both value and moderate and prefer moderate, with CBR being our favorite.

 

[triplejen]

The most annoying thing I find about the values is the lack of pool towels. At mods and deluxes, they stock towels at the pools. At the values you need to bring towels from your room, and then call mousekeeping to get more. BIG pain in the tush, IMHO.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

Caribbean Beach has just two double beds in their rooms. I am pretty sure PO has two queens in each room. I have never stayed at value, but have stayed at both moderate and deluxe. CB is very good value for your money with a great pool and beautiful grounds. Their food court is good, and it is easy to find suitable healthy choices for your meals. We always stay on site for the convenience of the Disney transportation. Happy Planning!

 

[triplejen]

That said, I was looking at the layout of the suites at the Art of Animation resort on the web site, and that seems like a nice option in terms of sleeping arrangements for your family. It's a value, though, so everything Dansdad posted about the differences (and my point about the towels) will still apply.

 

[mickeynut1]

As the pp said, worth is different for everyone and only you can decide if it's worth it for you. But with that said, we have never stayed at a value, but we think the cost is worth it for a moderate. The rooms are a little larger over value, there are double sinks, and the pools have slides. We have only stayed at one mod (CBR) and we loved it. The caribbean theme/grounds were beautiful, the pool was great, the food court had a good variety, and we thought the bus transportation was great. CBR is centrally located so it didn't take more than about 10 minutes to get to any theme park, water park, or DTD. If a moderate resort is doable, I would choose that over a value.

 

[MommyJack]

I have stayed in both and was very happy with both. It really depends on you. If you want a sit down restaurant you will have to stay in moderate. Pools at moderates have more features. No water slides at the values. The rooms in the values are smaller. With the size of your family you may want to consider family suites. These rooms are as nice or better than the moderate rooms. You will have 2 baths and a kitchenette. PP mentioned the towels. We stayed at ASM and there were towels for the pools. They were on a mousekeeping cart that was kept in a central location. I never had a problem with towels, so I'm not sure what they're talking about. As far as covered bus stops, again when we were at ASM the bus stop which is located near the main lobby has a covered area. The resort is not that big that the walk to the bus stop is that big of a deal.

 

[dansdad]

That said, I was looking at the layout of the suites at the Art of Animation resort on the web site, and that seems like a nice option in terms of sleeping arrangements for your family. It's a value, though, so everything Dansdad posted about the differences (and my point about the towels) will still apply.

AND the family suites at Art of Animation are actually $90/night more than a standard moderate room. Yes it's bigger and laid out nicely, but without the extras of a moderate.

 

[nkereina]

Sorry if this was mentioned but a fridge at mods is also a big plus for us. Values are supposed to be getting some kind of "beverage cooler" but not an actual mini fridge. IMO, the jump from value to mod is well worth the price difference, and its a noticeable jump. Whereas, the jump from mod to deluxe is a little more dramatic in price with not so noticeable amenities.

 

[tennessee]

I really like the values, room size is fine,but we dont spend much time in the room. We sleep or hang out at the pool. aoa has coverd bus stops and I think the values have some of the best food. I dont see paying the extra for upgrades, if I did not spend so much time at the parks then maybe, but thats what we go for.

 

[kerri0616]

If you can swing the extra expense, I'd switch from a value to a moderate without a doubt. We visited last Xmas, and had a value booked.We've stayed at all levels of resorts including Pop and All Star Movies. I was leery. Finally convinced husband to let us spend $500 for the upgrade. It was totally worth it. For all the reasons previously mentioned...BTW, we love POFQ. Such a compact resort. Love the boat to DD.

Happy planning!

K

 

[Mousemom]

We have stayed at every value, two of the moderates, and AKL. My favorite value is Pop Century. I love the layout, food court, and hippy dippy pool. I always ask for extra towels or stop by on my way to our room to get towels and don't find this to be an issue for us. We are very happy with the values. The kids love the theming and activities that go on.

As far as moderates we love POFQ. The rooms are a bit bigger than values and they have queen beds. This resort was recently renovated so the rooms are nice and clean. It's a smaller resort so much easier to get around in. Not such a long walk after a busy day at the parks to your room. They have a hot tub which the values don't have. If you want to take a lovely walk over to POR you can use their pool, food court or sit down restaurant. There is the boat to take ot DD. The resort tends to be a bit more quite than the values too. I also really like the location of POFQ. Pool has a slide which value does not.

But...I love staying at the values and if money is an issue would have no problem staying there.

 

[Blonde]

If you don't plan on spending much time in the room, I would recommend a value (regular room). Reason being, once your youngest turns 3, staying at a value will no longer be an option (unless you get a suite or 2 rooms). So save the money now while you can and put it towards some "extras" this trip or maybe start saving for your next trip!!!!!

 

[keishashadow]

We are planning our first trip next fall! Although I am still debating over off or on site, I *think* we have decided on site. I know we could definitely do value, but can probably swing the price of moderate as well...I WISH we could afford deluxe but I don't figure that will happen. Is the price difference to go up to moderate worth it? We are a family of 5, but our youngest will still be only two at the time. Then my parents will be going as well. There are so many options, I had looked at two regular value rooms, I don't really like the suite idea with adults having to sleep on sofa sleepers, etc. I like the carribean beach, and have heard good things from some friends about port orleans. Any suggestions?

onsite is a great idea for your first visit, especially with a 2 y.o. child who might need to go back to room for a nap with one of the adults while the rest can easily stay in the parks and meet up later.

All the onsite resorts have their own special charm. Especially if it's your first visit, you'll be spending lots of time in the parks - less in the room/resort. We've enjoyed many disney resorts, including the values (usually music or movies) and PORFQ.

Re offsite, i'd consider only if you have your own transportation but be sure to factor in parking everyday. Great rates are usually available at the Sheraton Vistana, close to the parks and they typically do have 2 BR units in the ball park of what the disney moderates cost.

good luck planning your trip.

 

[Sue M]

Being a family of 5, I think you'd appreciate the extra amenities of a moderate, with larger rooms, double sinks, covered bus stops, fridge and coffee maker, etc.
Our fav is POR. We love the mansion section, either Magnolia Terrace or Acadian House. Close to Old Man Island bridge. Great central location.
Also love the beautiful landscaping, boat to DTD and evening entertainment in the lounge.
However the AB section of POR, has a rustic theme, and a Murphy bed in addition to the 2 queens. So if you have kids that don't want to sleep together, this would be a good option. I find the layout of the AB section a little more confusing then the Mansion section where all the buildings are along the river.

 

[Windsor Princesses]

The value resorts are nice for us because we do not usually spend alot of time in the resort itself since we spend most of our time at the parks, if you are not there too much than you don't miss out on the upgrades... although the queen size beds are really nice at the moderates.

 

[meamommy]

Thanks so much for all the helpful replies, this board is great!

 

[Piglet99645]

Being a family of 5, I think you'd appreciate the extra amenities of a moderate, with larger rooms, double sinks, covered bus stops, fridge and coffee maker, etc.
Our fav is POR. We love the mansion section, either Magnolia Terrace or Acadian House. Close to Old Man Island bridge. Great central location.
Also love the beautiful landscaping, boat to DTD and evening entertainment in the lounge.
However the AB section of POR, has a rustic theme, and a Murphy bed in addition to the 2 queens. So if you have kids that don't want to sleep together, this would be a good option. I find the layout of the AB section a little more confusing then the Mansion section where all the buildings are along the river.

Resurrecting an older thread because i am trying to decide between a family suite at AS Music, vs. upgrading to a moderate resort.

Confused about the Murphy Bed in addition to the two queens.... does POR actually sleep 6?

Part of the complication with my plans is we are a family of 4 with two kids who won't sleep together.... and the possibility of an extra adult and child joining us for part of our vacation. So the option to sleep 6 is why I was considering the family suite at the value. But I'd like to upgrade to try the mods.....

Any input would be helpful. Thanks. Sorry OP to hijack.

 

[Sheaboys]

We have stayed at All Star Movies, Sports and Music. Love the Icon's and the price.
We have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside Alligator Bayou when we were a family of 5. Loved the resort, the grounds, the pool, the food court all of it.
We have stayed at Caribbean Beach once in 1995 for our honeymoon, and we just returned on September 2, from a 9 day vacation. We had 2 rooms, because we are a family of 7. Originally I booked 2 rooms at an All Star Movies, in the Preferred area. I was going to upgrade to the Regular Dining Plan, so I for the price of moving to a Moderate and getting the regular dining plan, it was worth it. The pool was very cool and had tons of towels (only at the main pool) and the little kid area was awesome! But, we spent everyday at our quiet pool, right near our rooms, it was not crowded a bit, where as the main pool you could never find a seat, it was wall to wall people. Loved the size of the rooms, the grounds, the playground in the center, the food court all of it.

It was totally worth the upgrade, we were also right near the bus stop and the bridge to the main pool and Old Port Royale.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

The most annoying thing I find about the values is the lack of pool towels. At mods and deluxes, they stock towels at the pools. At the values you need to bring towels from your room, and then call mousekeeping to get more. BIG pain in the tush, IMHO.

That does sound annoying. I love just taking as many towels as I need from the pool. It would annoy me if I had to take towels from the room. Does mousekeeping give you extra towels in the room because of this??